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Shellshocked after three resounding defeats, and shorn of some star names, there is no respite for South Africa as they prepare for a fourth ODI in the space of 10 days. The hosts have been beaten by six wickets, nine wickets and 124 runs in the three matches so far in the series, and now need to win the next three games on the bounce to take a share of the spoils. On current form, they face a monumental task.

Three issues in particular have plagued the Proteas: the imperious form of Virat Kohli (who averages an astonishing 318 in the series, including two centuries), the brilliance of India's wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal (who have taken 21 wickets between them – 11 more than South Africa have mustered as a team) and a succession of injuries to key players.

Aiden Markram will continue to deputise as captain for the injured Faf du Plessis

South Africa will have to continue to cope without the injured pair of Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock for the rest of the series, but will be buoyed by AB de Villiers' return to the squad following a finger injury. At the time of writing a final decision had yet to be made on his fitness for this clash at The Wanderers, but the hosts will be desperate to include him if at all possible. Aiden Markram will continue to deputise as captain and Heinrich Klaasen will remain behind the stumps whether de Villiers plays or not.

India have been unchanged throughout the series and it would be a surprise if they toyed with their line-up given their impressive form and the fact that top spot in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings is on the line.

Key players

Imran Tahir (South Africa): While India's wrist-spinners have bamboozled South Africa so far in this series, India have played Imran Tahir with ease. The Proteas leggie, who sits at No.1 in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Bowling Rankings, has only managed one wicket for 133 runs, with Kohli seemingly able to hit Tahir's deliveries wherever he chooses.

India have countered Imran Tahir's threat so far in the series

Speaking at the toss before the first match in this series, Faf du Plessis said that when Tahir performs at his best the team also generally does well, and the stats back that up: the 38-year-old averages 19 with the ball when South Africa win, compared to 45 when they lose. The hosts need Tahir to come to the party if they are to salvage anything from this series.

Jasprit Bumrah (India): It's all been about India's spinners so far, with left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep and the leggie Chahal running amok. How South Africa's batsmen can cope with them will be another key battle in Johannesburg. However, The Wanderers deck typically favours the seamers, offering pace and bounce, and the visitors will look to Bhuvenshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah to make early inroads.

Bumrah in particular will relish returning to the ground on which he took his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests just a couple of weeks ago. The 24-year-old right-arm seamer is currently third in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Bowling Rankings and he will have his eye on top spot come the end of this series.

Jasprit Bumrah may find the surface at The Wanderers to his liking

Conditions

The pitch for the recent Test match between these two sides was rated 'poor', with the venue receiving three demerit points after several batsmen suffered nasty blows. It would be a surprise if anything quite so tasty is served up this time, but it is generally a ground at which the quicks prosper.

It has also proved a stronghold for South Africa in recent times, with the hosts winning their last six ODIs at the venue, including a 141-run shellacking of India in 2013.

A sunny day is expected in Johannesburg, with temperatures around 24 degrees.